Jerry West Celebrates as Chauncey Billups Gives Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech

Chauncey Billups Receives Hall of Fame Recognition

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups wasn’t on the sidelines Sunday afternoon for the team’s 105-85 preseason victory against the Sacramento Kings. Instead, Billups was in Springfield, Massachusetts, as the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him into its prestigious club of basketball greats.

Billups' Remarkable Journey to Enshrinement

The Hall of Fame enshrined Billups and 12 others as part of its 2024 class. Before entering coaching, Billups enjoyed a decorated playing career from 1997-2014, earning five NBA All-Star appearances and a Finals MVP trophy from his 2004 title with the Detroit Pistons.

• Billups delivered a 15-minute speech about his long, winding path to reach this achievement.
• He discussed his rocky start as a No. 3 pick in the 1997 NBA Draft with five franchises in his first five seasons.
• Stability came with the Pistons in 2002, allowing him to flourish.

During his enshrinement speech, Billups acknowledged his time and teammates in Detroit, thanking a great number of people — family, friends, mentors, teammates, and coaches, including Blazers owner Jody Allen. Billups expressed gratitude for the opportunity to coach the Blazers and acknowledged challenges in his coaching career but emphasized his determination to succeed.

Billups will return to the sidelines for Portland’s next preseason game against the German club Ulm on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT at the Moda Center.